Predicted lineups, team news and score prediction

The international break is over and the Premier League returns this weekend. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins may have thought his chance to impress for England was there as Harry Kane was unfit for England’s game against Greece.

However, Three Lions interim Lee Carsley opted to use Jude Bellingham as a false number nine instead. Watkins only had to appear from the bench. England lost to Greece but then beat Finland and Kane returned to the lineup.

It has since been announced that Thomas Tuchel is the new England manager. This could be more bad news for Watkins as Tuchel has had a great relationship with Kane since their time together at Bayern Munich.

All Watkins can do is keep scoring goals for Villa, starting with the game against Fulham this weekend.

Aston Villa were on a high after beating Bayern 1-0 in the Champions League. However, there was then a 0-0 draw against Manchester United. This game may have kept Erik ten Hag in the United dugout for now.

Villa are still fifth in the Premier League but this Saturday’s game against Fulham will be a tough test.

Fulham are currently in eighth place in the Premier League and have had some great performances of late. They beat Newcastle United 3-1 and lost 3-2 to Manchester City in their last game.

Had the Cottagers not had a number of missed chances, they might have left the Etihad Stadium with all three points.

Fulham will look to play a more attacking line-up than in their last game against City.

Expected Fulham line-up: Leno, Tete, Anderson, Bassey, Robinson, Pereira, Lukic, Traore, Smith-Rowe, Iwobi, Jimenez

Jhon Duran has recently become a super substitute for Aston Villa. However, Unai Emery is still likely to start Watkins ahead of him.

Aston Villa’s expected line-up: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Barkley, Tielemans, Bailey, Rogers, Philogene, Watkins

Villa have won four of their last five games against Fulham in the Premier League and lost just one. There will be little between the two teams this weekend and it could end in a 2-2 draw.

Fulham face Aston Villa on Saturday, October 19th at 10:00 a.m. ET. The game is available to stream on Peacock Premium.